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Poddar A, Ahmady F, Rao SR, Sharma R, Kannourakis G, Prithviraj P, Jayachandran A. The role of pregnancy associated plasma protein-A in triple negative breast cancer: a promising target for achieving clinical benefits. J Biomed Sci 2024; 31:23. [PMID: 38395880 PMCID: PMC10885503 DOI: 10.1186/s12929-024-01012-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2023] [Accepted: 02/10/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Pregnancy associated plasma protein-A (PAPP-A) plays an integral role in breast cancer (BC), especially triple negative breast cancer (TNBC). This subtype accounts for the most aggressive BC, possesses high tumor heterogeneity, is least responsive to standard treatments and has the poorest clinical outcomes. There is a critical need to address the lack of effective targeted therapeutic options available. PAPP-A is a protein that is highly elevated during pregnancy. Frequently, higher PAPP-A expression is detected in tumors than in healthy tissues. The increase in expression coincides with increased rates of aggressive cancers. In BC, PAPP-A has been demonstrated to play a role in tumor initiation, progression, metastasis including epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), as well as acting as a biomarker for predicting patient outcomes. In this review, we present the role of PAPP-A, with specific focus on TNBC. The structure and function of PAPP-A, belonging to the pappalysin subfamily, and its proteolytic activity are assessed. We highlight the link of BC and PAPP-A with respect to the IGFBP/IGF axis, EMT, the window of susceptibility and the impact of pregnancy. Importantly, the relevance of PAPP-A as a TNBC clinical marker is reviewed and its influence on immune-related pathways are explored. The relationship and mechanisms involving PAPP-A reveal the potential for more treatment options that can lead to successful immunotherapeutic targets and the ability to assist with better predicting clinical outcomes in TNBC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arpita Poddar
- Fiona Elsey Cancer Research Institute, Victoria, Australia
- Federation University, Victoria, Australia
- RMIT University, Victoria, Australia
| | - Farah Ahmady
- Fiona Elsey Cancer Research Institute, Victoria, Australia
- Federation University, Victoria, Australia
| | - Sushma R Rao
- Fiona Elsey Cancer Research Institute, Victoria, Australia
- Adelaide Medical School, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - Revati Sharma
- Fiona Elsey Cancer Research Institute, Victoria, Australia
- Federation University, Victoria, Australia
| | - George Kannourakis
- Fiona Elsey Cancer Research Institute, Victoria, Australia
- Federation University, Victoria, Australia
| | - Prashanth Prithviraj
- Fiona Elsey Cancer Research Institute, Victoria, Australia
- Federation University, Victoria, Australia
| | - Aparna Jayachandran
- Fiona Elsey Cancer Research Institute, Victoria, Australia.
- Federation University, Victoria, Australia.
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2
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Conover CA, Oxvig C. The Pregnancy-Associated Plasma Protein-A (PAPP-A) Story. Endocr Rev 2023; 44:1012-1028. [PMID: 37267421 DOI: 10.1210/endrev/bnad017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2023] [Revised: 05/01/2023] [Accepted: 05/31/2023] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
Pregnancy-associated plasma protein-A (PAPP-A) was first identified in the early 1970s as a placental protein of unknown function, present at high concentrations in the circulation of pregnant women. In the mid-to-late 1990s, PAPP-A was discovered to be a metzincin metalloproteinase, expressed by many nonplacental cells, that regulates local insulin-like growth factor (IGF) activity through cleavage of high-affinity IGF binding proteins (IGFBPs), in particular IGFBP-4. With PAPP-A as a cell surface-associated enzyme, the reduced affinity of the cleavage fragments results in increased IGF available to bind and activate IGF receptors in the pericellular environment. This proteolytic regulation of IGF activity is important, since the IGFs promote proliferation, differentiation, migration, and survival in various normal and cancer cells. Thus, there has been a steady growth in investigation of PAPP-A structure and function outside of pregnancy. This review provides historical perspective on the discovery of PAPP-A and its structure and cellular function, highlights key studies of the first 50 years in PAPP-A research, and introduces new findings from recent years.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cheryl A Conover
- Division of Endocrinology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905, USA
| | - Claus Oxvig
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Aarhus University, 8000 Aarhus, Denmark
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de Moraes FP, Missio D, Lazzari J, Rovani MT, Ferreira R, Gonçalves PBD, Gasperin BG. Local regulation of antral follicle development and ovulation in monovulatory species. Anim Reprod 2023; 19:e20220099. [PMID: 36650852 PMCID: PMC9833292 DOI: 10.1590/1984-3143-ar2022-0099] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2022] [Accepted: 11/24/2022] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
The identification of mutations in the genes encoding bone morphogenetic protein 15 (BMP15) and growth and differentiation factor 9 (GDF9) associated with phenotypes of sterility or increased ovulation rate in sheep aroused interest in the study of the role of local factors in preantral and antral folliculogenesis in different species. An additive mutation in the BMP15 receptor, BMPR1b, which determines an increase in the ovulatory rate, has been introduced in several sheep breeds to increase the number of lambs born. Although these mutations indicate extremely relevant functions of these factors, the literature data on the regulation of the expression and function of these proteins and their receptors are very controversial, possibly due to differences in experimental models. The present review discusses the published data and preliminary results obtained by our group on the participation of local factors in the selection of the dominant follicle, ovulation, and follicular atresia in cattle, focusing on transforming growth factors beta and their receptors. The study of the expression pattern and the functionality of proteins produced by follicular cells and their receptors will allow increasing the knowledge about this local system, known to be involved in ovarian physiopathology and with the potential to promote contraception or increase the ovulation rate in mammals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabiane Pereira de Moraes
- Programa de Pós-graduação em Veterinária, Faculdade de Veterinária, Universidade Federal de Pelotas, Capão do Leão, RS, Brasil
| | - Daniele Missio
- Rede FiBRA-RS - Fisiopatologia e Biotécnicas da Reprodução, Santa Maria, RS, Brasil,Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, Santa Maria, RS, Brasil
| | - Jessica Lazzari
- Programa de Pós-graduação em Veterinária, Faculdade de Veterinária, Universidade Federal de Pelotas, Capão do Leão, RS, Brasil
| | - Monique Tomazele Rovani
- Rede FiBRA-RS - Fisiopatologia e Biotécnicas da Reprodução, Santa Maria, RS, Brasil,Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brasil
| | - Rogério Ferreira
- Faculdade de Zootecnia, Universidade do Estado de Santa Catarina, Chapecó, SC, Brasil
| | - Paulo Bayard Dias Gonçalves
- Rede FiBRA-RS - Fisiopatologia e Biotécnicas da Reprodução, Santa Maria, RS, Brasil,Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, Santa Maria, RS, Brasil
| | - Bernardo Garziera Gasperin
- Programa de Pós-graduação em Veterinária, Faculdade de Veterinária, Universidade Federal de Pelotas, Capão do Leão, RS, Brasil,Rede FiBRA-RS - Fisiopatologia e Biotécnicas da Reprodução, Santa Maria, RS, Brasil,Corresponding author:
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4
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Yao Y, Meng Z, Li W, Xu Y, Wang Y, Suolang S, Xi G, Cao L, Guo M. Profiling and Functional Analysis of long non-coding RNAs in yak healthy and atretic follicles. Anim Reprod 2022; 19:e20210131. [PMID: 36313598 PMCID: PMC9613354 DOI: 10.1590/1984-3143-ar2021-0131] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/25/2021] [Accepted: 09/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Yak is the livestock on which people live in plateau areas, but its fecundity is low. Follicular development plays a decisive role in yak reproductive performance. As an important regulatory factor, the expression of long non-coding RNA (lncRNAs) in yak follicular development and its regulatory mechanism remains unclear. To explore the differentially expressed lncRNAs between healthy and atretic follicular in yaks. We used RNA-seq to construct lncRNA, miRNA, and mRNA expression profiles in yak atretic and healthy follicles, and the RNA sequence results were identified by qPCR. In addition, the correlation of lncRNA and targeted mRNA was also analyzed by Starbase software. Moreover, lncRNA/miRNA/mRNA networks were constructed by Cytoscape software, and the network was verified by dual-luciferase analysis. A total of 682 novel lncRNAs, 259 bta-miRNAs, and 1704 mRNAs were identified as differentially expressed between healthy and atretic follicles. Among them, 135 mRNAs were positively correlated with lncRNA expression and 97 were negatively correlated, which may be involved in the yak follicular development. In addition, pathway enrichment analysis of differentially expressed lncRNA host genes by Kyoto Genome Encyclopedia (KEGG) showed that host genes were mainly involved in hormone secretion, granulosa cell apoptosis, and follicular development. In conclusion, we identified a series of novel lncRNAs, constructed the lncRNA ceRNA regulatory network, and provided comprehensive resources for exploring the role of lncRNAs in yak ovarian follicular development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yilong Yao
- Animal Science Department, Tibet Agriculture & Animal Husbandry College, Nyingchi, Tibet, China.,Genome Analysis Laboratory of the Ministry of Agriculture, Agricultural Genomics Institute at Shenzhen, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Zhaoyi Meng
- Animal Science Department, Tibet Agriculture & Animal Husbandry College, Nyingchi, Tibet, China.,Provincial Key Laboratory of Tibet Plateau Animal Epidemic Disease Research, Tibet Agriculture & Animal Husbandry College, Nyingchi, Tibet, China
| | - Wangchang Li
- Genome Analysis Laboratory of the Ministry of Agriculture, Agricultural Genomics Institute at Shenzhen, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Yefen Xu
- Animal Science Department, Tibet Agriculture & Animal Husbandry College, Nyingchi, Tibet, China.,Provincial Key Laboratory of Tibet Plateau Animal Epidemic Disease Research, Tibet Agriculture & Animal Husbandry College, Nyingchi, Tibet, China
| | - Yunlu Wang
- Animal Science Department, Tibet Agriculture & Animal Husbandry College, Nyingchi, Tibet, China.,Provincial Key Laboratory of Tibet Plateau Animal Epidemic Disease Research, Tibet Agriculture & Animal Husbandry College, Nyingchi, Tibet, China
| | - Sizhu Suolang
- Animal Science Department, Tibet Agriculture & Animal Husbandry College, Nyingchi, Tibet, China
| | - Guangyin Xi
- College of Animal Sciences and Technology, China Agricultural University, Haidian, Beijing, China
| | - Lei Cao
- Animal Science Department, Tibet Agriculture & Animal Husbandry College, Nyingchi, Tibet, China
| | - Min Guo
- College of Animal Sciences and Technology, China Agricultural University, Haidian, Beijing, China
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Celastrol Prevents Oxidative Stress Effects on FSHR, PAPP, and CYP19A1 Gene Expression in Cultured Human Granulosa-Lutein Cells. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22073596. [PMID: 33808393 PMCID: PMC8037896 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22073596] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2021] [Revised: 03/26/2021] [Accepted: 03/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Regulation of oxidative stress (OS) is important to prevent damage to female reproductive physiology. While normal OS levels may have a regulatory role, high OS levels may negatively affect vital processes such as folliculogenesis or embryogenesis. The aim of this work was to study OS induced by glucose, a reactive oxygen species generator, or peroxynitrite, a reactive nitrogen species generator, in cultured human granulosa-lutein (hGL) cells from oocyte donors, analyzing expression of genes involved in oocyte maturation (FSHR, PAPP, and CYP19A1) and OS damage response (ALDH3A2). We also evaluated the effect of celastrol as an antioxidant. Our results showed that although both glucose and peroxynitrite produce OS increments in hGL cells, only peroxynitrite treatment increases ALDH3A2 and PAPP gene expression levels and decreases FSHR gene expression levels. Celastrol pre-treatment prevents this effect of peroxynitrite. Interestingly, when celastrol alone was added, we observed a reduction of the expression of all genes studied, which was independent of both OS inductors. In conclusion, regulation of OS imbalance by antioxidant substances such as celastrol may prevent negative effects of OS in female fertility. In addition to the antioxidant activity, celastrol may well have an independent role on regulation of gene expression in hGL cells.
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Shi X, Tang T, Lin Q, Liu H, Qin Y, Liang X, Cong P, Mo D, Liu X, Chen Y, He Z. Efficient generation of bone morphogenetic protein 15-edited Yorkshire pigs using CRISPR/Cas9†. Biol Reprod 2020; 103:1054-1068. [PMID: 32761111 DOI: 10.1093/biolre/ioaa138] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2019] [Revised: 06/25/2020] [Accepted: 08/06/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Bone morphogenetic protein 15 (BMP15), a member of the transforming growth factor beta superfamily, plays an essential role in ovarian follicular development in mono-ovulatory mammalian species. Studies using a biallelic knockout mouse model revealed that BMP15 potentially has just a minimal impact on female fertility and ovarian follicular development in polyovulatory species. In contrast, our previous study demonstrated that in vivo knockdown of BMP15 significantly affected porcine female fertility, as evidenced by the dysplastic ovaries containing significantly decreased numbers of follicles and an increased number of abnormal follicles. This finding implied that BMP15 plays an important role in the regulation of female fertility and ovarian follicular development in polyovulatory species. To further investigate the regulatory role of BMP15 in porcine ovarian and follicular development, here, we describe the efficient generation of BMP15-edited Yorkshire pigs using CRISPR/Cas9. Using artificial insemination experiments, we found that the biallelically edited gilts were all infertile, regardless of different genotypes. One monoallelically edited gilt #4 (Δ66 bp/WT) was fertile and could deliver offspring with a litter size comparable to that of wild-type gilts. Further analysis established that the infertility of biallelically edited gilts was caused by the arrest of follicular development at preantral stages, with formation of numerous structurally abnormal follicles, resulting in streaky ovaries and the absence of obvious estrous cycles. Our results strongly suggest that the role of BMP15 in nonrodent polyovulatory species may be as important as that in mono-ovulatory species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuan Shi
- State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, P.R. China
| | - Tao Tang
- State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, P.R. China
| | - Qiyuan Lin
- State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, P.R. China
| | - Hongbo Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, P.R. China
| | - Yufeng Qin
- State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, P.R. China
| | - Xinyu Liang
- State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, P.R. China
| | - Peiqing Cong
- State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, P.R. China
| | - Delin Mo
- State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, P.R. China
| | - Xiaohong Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, P.R. China
| | - Yaosheng Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, P.R. China
| | - Zuyong He
- State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, P.R. China
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7
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Mazerbourg S, Monget P. Insulin-Like Growth Factor Binding Proteins and IGFBP Proteases: A Dynamic System Regulating the Ovarian Folliculogenesis. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2018; 9:134. [PMID: 29643837 PMCID: PMC5890141 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2018.00134] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2018] [Accepted: 03/14/2018] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The aim of the present article is to update our understanding of the expression of the insulin-like growth factor binding proteins (IGFBPs), IGFBP proteases and their implication in the different processes of ovarian folliculogenesis in mammals. In the studied species, IGFs and several small-molecular weight IGFBPs (in particular IGFBP-2 and IGFBP-4) are considered, respectively, as stimulators and inhibitors of follicular growth and maturation. IGFs play a key role in sensitizing ovarian granulosa cells to FSH action during terminal follicular growth. Concentrations of IGFBP-2 and IGFBP-4 in follicular fluid strongly decrease during follicular growth, leading to an increase in IGF bioavailability. Inversely, atresia is characterized by an increase of IGFBP-2 and IGFBP-4 levels, leading to a decrease in IGF bioavailability. Changes in intrafollicular IGFBPs content are due to variations in mRNA expression and/or proteolytic degradation by the pregnancy-associated plasma protein-A (PAPP-A), and likely participates in the selection of dominant follicles. The identification of PAPP-A2, as an IGFBP-3 and -5 protease, and stanniocalcins (STCs) as inhibitors of PAPP-A activity extends the IGF system. Studies on their implication in folliculogenesis in mammals are still in the early stages.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sabine Mazerbourg
- Université de Lorraine, CNRS, CRAN, Nancy, France
- *Correspondence: Sabine Mazerbourg, ; Philippe Monget,
| | - Philippe Monget
- INRA, Physiologie de la Reproduction et des Comportements, UMR 6078 INRA-CNRS-Université de Tours, Nouzilly, France
- *Correspondence: Sabine Mazerbourg, ; Philippe Monget,
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Iber D, Geyter CD. Computational modelling of bovine ovarian follicle development. BMC SYSTEMS BIOLOGY 2013; 7:60. [PMID: 23856357 PMCID: PMC3726369 DOI: 10.1186/1752-0509-7-60] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2012] [Accepted: 07/11/2013] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Background The development of ovarian follicles hinges on the timely exposure to the appropriate combination of hormones. Follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) are both produced in the pituitary gland and are transported via the blood circulation to the thecal layer surrounding the follicle. From there both hormones are transported into the follicle by diffusion. FSH-receptors are expressed mainly in the granulosa while LH-receptors are expressed in a gradient with highest expression in the theca. How this spatial organization is achieved is not known. Equally it is not understood whether LH and FSH trigger distinct signalling programs or whether the distinct spatial localization of their G-protein coupled receptors is sufficient to convey their distinct biological function. Results We have developed a data-based computational model of the spatio-temporal signalling processes within the follicle and (i) predict that FSH and LH form a gradient inside the follicle, (ii) show that the spatial distribution of FSH- and LH-receptors can arise from the well known regulatory interactions, and (iii) find that the differential activity of FSH and LH may well result from the distinct spatial localisation of their receptors, even when both receptors respond with the same intracellular signalling cascade to their ligand. Conclusion The model integrates the large amount of published data into a consistent framework that can now be used to better understand how observed defects translate into failed follicle maturation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dagmar Iber
- Department for Biosystems Science and Engineering-D-BSSE, ETH Zurich, Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics, Basel, Switzerland.
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González-Fernández R, Peña Ó, Hernández J, Martín-Vasallo P, Palumbo A, Ávila J. Patients with endometriosis and patients with poor ovarian reserve have abnormal follicle-stimulating hormone receptor signaling pathways. Fertil Steril 2011; 95:2373-8. [DOI: 10.1016/j.fertnstert.2011.03.030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2011] [Revised: 03/07/2011] [Accepted: 03/09/2011] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
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10
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Scaramuzzi RJ, Baird DT, Campbell BK, Driancourt MA, Dupont J, Fortune JE, Gilchrist RB, Martin GB, McNatty KP, McNeilly AS, Monget P, Monniaux D, Viñoles C, Webb R. Regulation of folliculogenesis and the determination of ovulation rate in ruminants. Reprod Fertil Dev 2011; 23:444-67. [DOI: 10.1071/rd09161] [Citation(s) in RCA: 185] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2009] [Accepted: 10/05/2010] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
The paper presents an update of our 1993 model of ovarian follicular development in ruminants, based on knowledge gained from the past 15 years of research. The model addresses the sequence of events from follicular formation in fetal life, through the successive waves of follicular growth and atresia, culminating with the emergence of ovulatory follicles during reproductive cycles. The original concept of five developmental classes of follicles, defined primarily by their responses to gonadotrophins, is retained: primordial, committed, gonadotrophin-responsive, gonadotrophin-dependent and ovulatory follicles. The updated model has more extensive integration of the morphological, molecular and cellular events during folliculogenesis with systemic events in the whole animal. It also incorporates knowledge on factors that influence oocyte quality and the critical roles of the oocyte in regulating follicular development and ovulation rate. The original hypothetical mechanisms determining ovulation rate are retained but with some refinements; the enhanced viability of gonadotrophin-dependent follicles and increases in the number of gonadotrophin-responsive follicles by increases in the throughput of follicles to this stage of growth. Finally, we reexamine how these two mechanisms, which are thought not to be mutually exclusive, appear to account for most of the known genetic and environmental effects on ovulation rate.
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Nyegaard M, Overgaard MT, Su YQ, Hamilton AE, Kwintkiewicz J, Hsieh M, Nayak NR, Conti M, Conover CA, Giudice LC. Lack of functional pregnancy-associated plasma protein-A (PAPPA) compromises mouse ovarian steroidogenesis and female fertility. Biol Reprod 2010; 82:1129-38. [PMID: 20130263 DOI: 10.1095/biolreprod.109.079517] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/01/2022] Open
Abstract
The insulin-like growth factor (IGF) system plays an important role in regulating ovarian follicular development and steroidogenesis. IGF binding proteins (IGFBP) mostly inhibit IGF actions, and IGFBP proteolysis is a major mechanism for regulating IGF bioavailability. Pregnancy-associated plasma protein-A (PAPPA) is a secreted metalloprotease responsible for cleavage of IGFBP4 in the ovary. The aim of this study was to investigate whether PAPPA plays a role in regulating ovarian functions and female fertility by comparing the reproductive phenotype of wild-type (WT) mice with mice heterozygous or homozygous for a targeted Pappa gene deletion (heterozygous and PAPP-A knockout [KO] mice, respectively). When mated with WT males, PAPP-A KO females demonstrated an overall reduction in average litter size. PAPP-A KO mice had a reduced number of ovulated oocytes, lower serum estradiol levels following equine chorionic gonadotropin administration, lower serum progesterone levels after human chorionic gonadotropin injection, and reduced expression of ovarian steroidogenic enzyme genes, compared to WT controls. In PAPP-A KO mice, inhibitory IGFBP2, IGFBP3, and IGFBP4 ovarian gene expression was reduced postgonadotropin stimulation, suggesting some compensation within the ovarian IGF system. Expression levels of follicle-stimulating hormone receptor, luteinizing hormone receptor, and genes required for cumulus expansion were not affected. Analysis of preovulatory follicular fluid showed complete loss of IGFBP4 proteolytic activity in PAPP-A KO mice, demonstrating no compensation for loss of PAPPA proteolytic activity by other IGFBP proteases in vivo in the mouse ovary. Taken together, these data demonstrate an important role of PAPPA in modulating ovarian function and female fertility by control of the bioavailability of ovarian IGF.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mette Nyegaard
- Department of Ob/Gyn., Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
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12
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Zama AM, Uzumcu M. Fetal and neonatal exposure to the endocrine disruptor methoxychlor causes epigenetic alterations in adult ovarian genes. Endocrinology 2009; 150:4681-91. [PMID: 19589859 PMCID: PMC2754680 DOI: 10.1210/en.2009-0499] [Citation(s) in RCA: 101] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Exposure to endocrine-disrupting chemicals during development could alter the epigenetic programming of the genome and result in adult-onset disease. Methoxychlor (MXC) and its metabolites possess estrogenic, antiestrogenic, and antiandrogenic activities. Previous studies showed that fetal/neonatal exposure to MXC caused adult ovarian dysfunction due to altered expression of key ovarian genes including estrogen receptor (ER)-beta, which was down-regulated, whereas ERalpha was unaffected. The objective of the current study was to evaluate changes in global and gene-specific methylation patterns in adult ovaries associated with the observed defects. Rats were exposed to MXC (20 microg/kgxd or 100 mg/kg.d) between embryonic d 19 and postnatal d 7. We performed DNA methylation analysis of the known promoters of ERalpha and ERbeta genes in postnatal d 50-60 ovaries using bisulfite sequencing and methylation-specific PCRs. Developmental exposure to MXC led to significant hypermethylation in the ERbeta promoter regions (P < 0.05), whereas the ERalpha promoter was unaffected. We assessed global DNA methylation changes using methylation-sensitive arbitrarily primed PCR and identified 10 genes that were hypermethylated in ovaries from exposed rats. To determine whether the MXC-induced methylation changes were associated with increased DNA methyltransferase (DNMT) levels, we measured the expression levels of Dnmt3a, Dnmt3b, and Dnmt3l using semiquantitative RT-PCR. Whereas Dnmt3a and Dnmt3l were unchanged, Dnmt3b expression was stimulated in ovaries of the 100 mg/kg MXC group (P < 0.05), suggesting that increased DNMT3B may cause DNA hypermethylation in the ovary. Overall, these data suggest that transient exposure to MXC during fetal and neonatal development affects adult ovarian function via altered methylation patterns.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aparna Mahakali Zama
- Department of Animal Sciences, School of Environmental and Biological Sciences, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, New Brunswick, New Jersey 08901-8525, USA
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González-Fernández R, Peña O, Hernández J, Martín-Vasallo P, Palumbo A, Avila J. FSH receptor, KL1/2, P450, and PAPP genes in granulosa-lutein cells from in vitro fertilization patients show a different expression pattern depending on the infertility diagnosis. Fertil Steril 2009; 94:99-104. [PMID: 19342032 DOI: 10.1016/j.fertnstert.2009.02.074] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2009] [Revised: 02/15/2009] [Accepted: 02/25/2009] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To study the expression of mRNA for Kit ligand 1 (KL1), KL2, FSH receptor (FSHR), pregnancy-associated plasma protein (PAPP) and P450 in granulosa-lutein cells from IVF patients and its relationship with the infertility diagnosis and IVF outcome. DESIGN In vitro assays. SETTING University laboratory and private IVF center. PATIENT(S) A total of 113 women undergoing IVF. INTERVENTION(S) Quantitative reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction in granulosa-lutein cells from pooled follicles. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S) Expression of mRNA for KL1, KL2, FSHR, PAPP and P450 in infertility patients with different infertility diagnoses. RESULT(S) Infertile patients with healthy ovaries show positive correlations among KL1, KL2, FSHR, PAPP, and P450 gene expression levels. In patients with ovarian disease, the correlation between KL1 and KL2 gene expression is maintained, but correlations between KL1/KL2 and FSHR, PAPP and P450 are not present except for KL1/FSHR in endometriosis and KL2/P450 in polycystic ovary syndrome. FSHR/KL1 and FSHR/KL2 expression correlates positively only in women who became pregnant. CONCLUSION(S) Findings in healthy human ovaries agree with the feedback model of bone morphogenetic protein 15-KL1/KL2 cross-talk between oocyte and granulosa cells described in other species. The complex relationship between the expression of these genes seems to be disrupted in patients with infertility of ovarian origin. A normal pattern of gene expression and feedback seems to be associated with pregnancy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebeca González-Fernández
- Laboratorio Biología del Desarrollo, Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular, Universidad de la Laguna, La Laguna, Tenerife, Spain
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McMahon HE, Hashimoto O, Mellon PL, Shimasaki S. Oocyte-specific overexpression of mouse bone morphogenetic protein-15 leads to accelerated folliculogenesis and an early onset of acyclicity in transgenic mice. Endocrinology 2008; 149:2807-15. [PMID: 18308851 PMCID: PMC2408818 DOI: 10.1210/en.2007-1550] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Whereas mutations in the bmp15 gene cause infertility in ewes and women due to defects in folliculogenesis, most defects in female mice lacking bone morphogenetic protein (BMP)-15 are confined to the ovulation process, supportive of the observation that functional mouse BMP-15 is barely detected in oocytes in vivo until after the LH surge. In addition, the mouse BMP-15 proprotein is not processed into the functional mature protein in transfected cells. However, a chimeric protein consisting of the human proregion, human cleavage site, and mouse mature region (termed hhmBMP-15) is processed and the mature protein secreted. To study the role of BMP-15 in folliculogenesis, we generated transgenic mice overexpressing hhmBMP-15, exclusively in oocytes during folliculogenesis and confirmed the overexpression of mouse BMP-15 mature protein. Immature transgenic mice exhibited accelerated follicle growth with decreased primary follicles and an increase in secondary follicles. Granulosa cells of immature mice displayed an increased mitotic index and decreased FSH receptor mRNA expression. Adult mice had normal litter sizes but an increased number of atretic antral follicles. Interestingly, aging mice exhibited an early onset of acyclicity marked by increased diestrus length and early occurrence of constant diestrus. These findings indicate the role of BMP-15 in vivo in promoting follicle growth and preventing follicle maturation, resulting in an early decline in the ovarian reserve of transgenic mice. Therefore, the lack of mouse BMP-15 during early folliculogenesis in the wild-type mice may be relevant to their polyovulatory nature as well as the preservation of ovarian function as the mice age.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heather E McMahon
- Department of Reproductive Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093-0633, USA
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15
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Wunsch A, Sonntag B, Simoni M. Polymorphism of the FSH receptor and ovarian response to FSH. ANNALES D'ENDOCRINOLOGIE 2007; 68:160-6. [PMID: 17544358 DOI: 10.1016/j.ando.2007.04.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2007] [Revised: 03/28/2007] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) is a key factor in human reproduction. FSH activates its receptor (FSHR) located exclusively on Sertoli cells in the testis and granulosa cells in the ovary. Two common single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) within exon 10 of the human FSHR gene result in two almost equally common allelic variants exhibiting threonine (Thr) or alanine (Ala) at position 307 in the hinge region, respectively, asparagine (Asn) or serine (Ser) at codon 680 of the intracellular domain. Clinical studies have demonstrated that p.N680S polymorphism determines the ovarian response to FSH stimulation in patients undergoing IVF-treatment. Patients with the Ser(680) allele need more FSH during the stimulation phase to reach the serum estradiol levels of Asn(680) patients. A study investigating women with normal, mono-ovulatory menstrual cycles revealed that the Ser(680)/Ser(680) genotype leads to higher FSH serum levels and a prolonged cycle. To date, the molecular mechanism underlying the partial "resistance" of the Ser(680)-FSHR to FSH remains unclear. Future experiments should extend our current understanding of FSH action on follicular selection and dominance, thereby permitting novel, patient-tailored therapies for infertility and fertility preservation.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Wunsch
- Institute of Reproductive Medicine of the University, D-48129 Münster, Germany.
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16
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Walters KA, Armstrong DG, Telfer EE. Bovine mural granulosa cells, and not the oocyte, are the major source of proteases capable of IGFBP-2 degradation. Anim Reprod Sci 2007; 98:365-70. [PMID: 16713142 DOI: 10.1016/j.anireprosci.2006.04.047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2005] [Revised: 04/05/2006] [Accepted: 04/18/2006] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
Oocytes can regulate their own development, hence studies identifying and characterising oocyte-secreted factors are crucial to resolving the mechanisms by which oocytes can orchestrate follicular development. The insulin-like growth factor (IGF) system plays an important role during the development of a follicle; however, the regulation of IGF bioavailability is crucial throughout follicular growth. Proteolytic cleavage of the IGF/IGF binding protein (IGFBP) complex increases IGF bioavailability, hence, the production of IGFBP proteases by the oocyte and/or granulosa cells would provide a regulatory mechanism whereby they could regulate their own exposure to IGFs. The present study revealed mural granulosa cells (MGC), and not the oocyte, are the major source of proteases capable of cleaving IGFBP-2 in the developing bovine antral follicle. The addition of recombinant IGF-I or FSH had no effect in terms of modulating IGFBP-2 degradation. This work further supports the existence of a local regulatory mechanism modulating IGF bioavailability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kirsty A Walters
- Institute of Molecular Biology, The Darwin Building, University of Edinburgh, King's Buildings, Mayfield Road, Edinburgh EH9 3JR, United Kingdom.
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17
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Wu YT, Tang L, Cai J, Lu XE, Xu J, Zhu XM, Luo Q, Huang HF. High bone morphogenetic protein-15 level in follicular fluid is associated with high quality oocyte and subsequent embryonic development. Hum Reprod 2007; 22:1526-31. [PMID: 17347167 DOI: 10.1093/humrep/dem029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 93] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Bone morphogenetic protein-15 (BMP-15) has been shown to influence oocyte maturation and quality. However, no relationship has been established between BMP-15 and oocyte quality/embryonic development in humans. The aim of this study is to investigate BMP-15 level in human follicular fluid (FF) and its possible role in determining oocyte quality and developmental potential. METHODS A total of 79 oocytes and their corresponding FF from 79 women undergoing ICSI were examined. Individual oocytes were inseminated and subsequently assessed on the basis of their fertilization, cleavage and preimplantation development. BMP-15, FSH, estradiol (E(2)) and progesterone levels of FF were also analysed via the techniques of western blot or radioimmunoassay. RESULTS Higher FF BMP-15 levels were observed in the fertilized and cleaved groups versus the unfertilized and uncleaved groups, respectively (P < 0.05). The best (Grade I) embryo morphology was associated with higher FF BMP-15 levels than Grade II or III embryos (P < 0.01). A significant positive correlation was found between BMP-15 and E(2) levels in the same follicle. CONCLUSION The present study demonstrates that the BMP-15 level in FF appears to be a potential factor in predicting oocyte quality and subsequent embryo development, and is correlated with E(2) level, which may additionally be a valuable predictor of oocyte fertilization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan-Ting Wu
- Department of Reproductive Endocrinology, Women's Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, People's Republic of China
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18
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Aad PY, Voge JL, Santiago CA, Malayer JR, Spicer LJ. Real-time RT-PCR quantification of pregnancy-associated plasma protein-A mRNA abundance in bovine granulosa and theca cells: effects of hormones in vitro. Domest Anim Endocrinol 2006; 31:357-72. [PMID: 16439093 DOI: 10.1016/j.domaniend.2005.12.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2005] [Revised: 12/08/2005] [Accepted: 12/17/2005] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Ovarian follicular growth and dominance are controlled by a series of hormonal and intraovarian events including a decrease in intrafollicular IGF-binding proteins -2, -4 and -5 levels. Proteolytic enzymes such as pregnancy-associated plasma protein-A (PAPP-A) degrade IGFBPs and increase bioavailability of IGF-I and -II during follicular development. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of IGF-I, IGF-II, insulin (INS), LH, FSH, estradiol (E2), leptin or cortisol on ovarian PAPP-A mRNA levels. Granulosa (GC) from small (SM) (1-5 mm) and large (LG) (8-22 mm) follicles as well as theca cells (TC) from LG follicles were collected from bovine ovaries and cultured for 48 h in medium containing 10% FCS and then treated with various hormones in serum-free medium for an additional 24 h. Cells were treated with various concentrations (3-500 ng/ml) and combinations of IGF-I, IGF-II, FSH, LH, E2, INS, leptin and (or) cortisol for 24 h (Experiments 1-10). PAPP-A mRNA levels were measured using quantitative real-time RT-PCR. In SM-GC and LG-GC, none of the treatments significantly affected (P>0.10) PAPP-A mRNA abundance. In LG-TC, IGF-I, LH or cortisol did not affect (P>0.10) PAPP-A mRNA levels, whereas INS with or without LH decreased (P<0.05) PAPP-A mRNA. E2 alone decreased PAPP-A mRNA levels in LG-TC, and E2 amplified the insulin-induced inhibition of PAPP-A mRNA abundance in LG-TC. We conclude that control of PAPP-A mRNA abundance in granulosa and theca cells differs, and that E2 may be part of an intraovarian negative feedback system which may reduce the bioavailable IGFs in the theca layer during growth and selection of follicles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pauline Y Aad
- Department of Animal Science, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK 74078, USA
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Demeestere I, Centner J, Gervy C, Englert Y, Delbaere A. Impact of various endocrine and paracrine factors on in vitro culture of preantral follicles in rodents. Reproduction 2005; 130:147-56. [PMID: 16049152 DOI: 10.1530/rep.1.00648] [Citation(s) in RCA: 83] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Folliculogenesis is a complex process regulated by various paracrine and autocrine factors. In vitro growth systems of primordial and preantral follicles have been developed for future use of immature oocytes, as sources of fertilizable oocytes and for studying follicular growth and oocyte maturation mechanisms. Rodents were often chosen for in vitro follicular culture research and a lot of factors implicated in folliculogenesis have been identified using this model. To date, the mouse is the only species in which the whole process of follicular growth, oocyte maturation, fertilization and embryo transfer into recipient females was successfully performed. However, the efficiency of in vitro culture systems must still be considerably improved. Within the follicle, numerous events affect cell proliferation and the acquisition of oocyte developmental competency in vitro, including interactions between the follicular cells and the oocyte, and the composition of the culture medium. Effects of the acting factors depend on the stage of follicle development, the culture system used and the species. This paper reviews the action of endocrine, paracrine factors and other components of culture medium on in vitro growth of preantral follicles in rodents.
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Affiliation(s)
- I Demeestere
- Research Laboratory on Human Reproduction, French Speaking Free University of Brussels, Belgium.
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Jia D, Heersche JNM. Pregnancy-associated plasma protein-A proteolytic activity in rat vertebral cell cultures: Stimulation by dexamethasone-a potential mechanism for glucocorticoid regulation of osteoprogenitor proliferation and differentiation. J Cell Physiol 2005; 204:848-58. [PMID: 15754336 DOI: 10.1002/jcp.20344] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
Glucocorticoids (GCs) at physiological concentrations stimulate osteoprogenitor proliferation and differentiation in rat bone cell populations, and this is mediated in part by an increased response to insulin-like growth factors (IGFs). Since IGF binding proteins (IGFBPs) modulate IGF actions, we evaluated whether the increased IGF responsiveness might be associated with decreased inhibitory IGFBP-4 peptide levels. Rat vertebral cells were cultured for up to 20 days with or without dexamethasone (Dex). Cell layer proteins were extracted at day 6, 8, 14, and 20, conditioned media (CM) collected at day 8, 14, and 20, and total RNA isolated at day 14 and 20 of culture. Western blotting showed that cell layer IGFBP-4 levels were lower, while IGFBP-4 protease activity in CM was higher, in Dex-treated cultures. Addition of pregnancy-associated plasma protein-A (PAPP-A) antibody to CM abrogated IGFBP-4 proteolysis. PAPP-A mRNA levels were the same in control and Dex-treated cultures as evaluated by RT-PCR. Our data demonstrate that activity of the IGFBP-4 protease, PAPP-A, in rat bone cell cultures is increased by Dex via post-transcriptional mechanisms. Since IGFBP-4 mRNA levels in Dex-treated cultures were the same as in controls at day 8, slightly lower than in controls at day 14, and higher than in controls at day 20 as shown previously, the decreased IGFBP-4 peptide levels in Dex-treated cultures likely result from increased IGFBP-4 proteolysis by the elevated PAPP-A enzymatic activity. Our findings underscore a novel mechanism whereby GCs increase IGF responses in rat bone cells via PAPP-A-induced IGFBP-4 proteolysis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dan Jia
- Dental Research Institute, Faculty of Dentistry, University of Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
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